FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2025 

Over 10,000 rally at B.C. Legislature to support striking public service workers 

VICTORIA, B.C.– Coinciding with the start of the fall legislative session, more than 10,000 union members and allies marched through Victoria today in a powerful show of unity with nearly 19,700 striking public service workers represented by the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU). Marking the sixth week of job action, leaders from major unions and allied organizations - including the Professional Employees Association (PEA), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) - joined BCGEU president Paul Finch at the rally, denouncing government inaction at the bargaining table and calling on them to return with a fair wage offer or face continued job action escalation in the coming days.

"We brought our bargaining demands straight to the government's doorstep right at the start of the fall legislative session," said BCGEU president Paul Finch. "Today's rally – our biggest rally yet – shows the undeniable power of working people standing together. B.C.'s public service workers deserve respect, fairness, and wages that reflect their true value. We won't back down, we won't be divided, and we won't stop until we win a fair deal." 

This show of solidarity comes just one week after resumed negotiations collapsed on their first day, deepening tensions in what is now one of the largest public sector job actions in B.C. history. 

Meanwhile, the BCGEU sharply escalated its job action today as members walked off the job at 106 additional worksites, bringing the total to 308 sites impacted across the province and a total of nearly 22,000 workers participating in job action. 

The threat of even greater disruption to public services looms as the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) announced last Friday that they had reached an impasse in talks with the government. The CBA represents close to 23,000 workers across the province, and its members work in some of the most critical, community-based services like drug and alcohol treatment centres, adult day care, detox and emergency shelters, women's clinics, seniors' services, mental health group homes, home support, and more. 

Despite growing public disruption, the BCGEU reiterated its commitment to bargaining a fair contract that addresses the affordability crisis faced by public service workers. Talks broke down again on September 29 when the government returned to the table with no meaningful improvement on wages. The BCGEU is calling for a four per cent general wage increase each year for two years for all public service workers - a fair and modest proposal that keeps pace with inflation. 

The government's counter of a two per cent per year for two years general wage increase falls well short. While government has publicly claimed their offer amounts to five per cent over two years, that figure is misleading: it folds in temporary market adjustments and other items not all workers would receive. 

"Workers have kept vital public services running under immense pressure," said Finch. "They deserve transparency and real wage growth - not spin tactics and stalled talks." 

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For media inquiries, contact BCGEU Communications: 
Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289 
Backgrounder: www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 5, 2025 

Fund the Frontlines Rally – March on Legislature 

VICTORIA, B.C. – Senior leaders from across the labour movement and allied organizations will join striking BCGEU members in a mass march and rally to demonstrate strength and solidarity as B.C.’s public service strike enters its sixth week. 

Coinciding with the opening of the fall legislative session—and just one week after negotiations with government broke down again—the BCGEU is urging the province to return to the bargaining table with a credible wage offer. 

Thousands of striking workers and supporters are expected to participate. The march will begin at Centennial Square and conclude with a rally on the lawn of the B.C. Legislature. Media are invited to attend. 

Event Details 

• WHEN: Monday, October 6, 2025 
  • March begins at 11:00 a.m. 
  • Rally begins at 12:00 p.m. 
• WHERE: 
  • March departs at 11:00 a.m. from Centennial Square, Victoria, B.C. and moves down Blanshard Street with picketers from various government buildings joining the march along its route. BCGEU President Paul Finch will lead the march with members of the Public Service Bargaining Committee and other labour leaders. 
• March route: 

• Rally at the B.C. Legislature with speakers beginning at 12:00 p.m. 
• VISUALS: Thousands of public service workers and supporters with picket signs
• WHY: The BCGEU is escalating its campaign for a fair contract amid an ongoing labour dispute with the B.C. government. Workers are calling for real wage increases that reflect rising costs of living and the essential services they provide.

N.B.: -The event will also be livestreamed on the following BCGEU social media platforms: 

• YouTube 
• Facebook 
• Instagram 

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On site media liaison: 
Holly Reid: [email protected]| 604-875-0124

For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:
Nadja Komnenic:[email protected]| 604.442.2289
Backgrounder:https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

Action required: Collecting your strike pay cheque  

Because Canada Post workers are on strike and mail delivery has been suspended across the country, we are currently unable to send your strike pay cheque by mail. 

To receive your cheque, please call or email your area office to let them know you are receiving your strike pay by cheque. You can find contact information for all area offices here: https://www.bcgeu.ca/full_contact

An area office representative will then make arrangements to get your cheque to you directly. 

We recognize this creates an extra step for you, so we thank you for your patience and your solidarity with CUPW members also fighting for a fair contract! 

If you have not already done so, please sign-up for Payworks to receive your strike pay by direct deposit in future. Check your inbox for an email from [email protected] and follow the instructions. If you are having issues specifically with Payworks - you haven't received the email or you're having other issues getting your account set up - please contact our strike support team at [email protected] or call 1-833-833-1647.  

In solidarity,
Your Public Service Bargaining Committee 

 
Paul Finch, President and Committee Chair
Maria Middlemiss, Treasurer
Dean Purdy, Component 1 Vice-President
Kusam Doal, Component 5 Vice-President
Judy Fox-McGuire, Component 6 Vice-President
Mona Dykes, Component 6 Second Representative
DJ Pohl, Component 12 Vice-President
Faith Johnston, Component 12 Second Representative
Sebastian Kallos, Component 20 Vice-President
Linsay Buss, Lead Negotiator
Larisa Mills, Staff Representative
Sumiko Marshall, Support Staff

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 3, 2025 

CBA announces talks have broken down and reached impasse; Nearly 23,000 healthcare workers set to join BCGEU/PEA Strike 

VICTORIA, B.C. – Members of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) – including 13,000 represented by the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) – announced this morning that negotiations with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) have broken down and have reached impasse.

CBA members work in critical, community-based health services across B.C., including drug and alcohol treatment centres, adult day care, detox and emergency shelters, women's clinics, seniors' services, mental health group homes, home support, and more. Despite bargaining since March, the employer has failed to meaningfully engage on key non-monetary issues that matter most to frontline workers. 

"CBA members serve some of the most vulnerable people in B.C.," said Scott De Long, CBA Bargaining Chair and BCGEU Vice-President Community Health Services. "They work on the front lines of community health-often in precarious, high-risk environments-and they've been underpaid and undervalued for over 30 years. Our members are simply asking for fairness and equity, and they've more than earned it." 

The BCGEU is one of seven unions in the Community Bargaining Association, which represents nearly 23,000 workers across B.C. 

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:

Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289 

Backgrounder: htts://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

Escalations are continuing today, with 30 additional worksites on picket lines. This escalation includes over 20 more BC Liquor Stores and BC Cannabis Stores as well as frontline staff from the Ministry of Environment and Parks; Children & Family Development; Energy and Climate Solutions; and Water, Land and Resource Stewardship whose work is critical to our communities and our economy. 

A full list of striking worksites is available here - check to see if your worksite is on the list.

As of today, more than 17,000 public service workers are taking job action across B.C. As we communicated yesterday, job action will continue to intensify until the provincial government comes back to the bargaining table with a fair wage offer. Our message is clear: we will keep fighting for the deal that addresses the affordability crisis that members face, and we won't back down. 
 
Despite what government is claiming in the media, their math misrepresents their actual offer. Their offer remains a 2% per year general wage increase--far below what's needed to keep pace with inflation and cost of living. Public sector workers like you are not asking for excess-we're asking for a fair general wage increase that keeps pace with inflation. The government needs to come back to the table with a real offer that respects the people who keep this province running. 
 
On Monday, October 6 we're bringing our bargaining demands straight to the government's doorstep right as the fall legislative session begins. This rally will be our biggest yet. If you're in Victoria, we'll see you there. For those in other parts of the province, the rally will be livestreamed starting at 12pm noon on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. 
 
We'll be in touch again with another Escalation Update if and when there is another escalation.

In solidarity, 

Your Public Service Bargaining Committee:

Paul Finch, President and Committee Chair
Maria Middlemiss, Treasurer
Dean Purdy, Component 1 Vice-President
Kusam Doal, Component 5 Vice-President
Judy Fox-McGuire, Component 6 Vice-President
Mona Dykes, Component 6 Second Representative
DJ Pohl, Component 12 Vice-President
Faith Johnston, Component 12 Second Representative
Sebastian Kallos, Component 20 Vice-President 
Linsay Buss, Lead Negotiator
Larisa Mills, Staff Representative 
Sumiko Marshall, Support Staff 

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 3, 2025 

BCGEU escalates job action: Nearly 900 more public service workers join picket lines  

BURNABY, B.C. – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has escalated its province-wide public service strike again today, with nearly 900 additional workers from 22 worksites joining the job action. This escalation includes over 20 more BC Liquor Stores and BC Cannabis Stores as well as frontline staff from the Ministry of Environment and Parks; Children & Family Development; Energy and Climate Solutions; and Water, Land and Resource Stewardship whose work is critical to our communities and our economy. 

A full list of striking worksites is available here. 
 

More than 17,000 public service workers are now taking job action across B.C. As the strike enters its sixth week on Monday, job action will continue to intensify until the provincial government comes back to the bargaining table with a fair wage offer. The government's latest proposal still falls below inflation and fails to close the wage gap that has left public service workers falling further behind.  

"Our members are showing incredible strength and resolve," said Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the public service bargaining committee. "Every day this government delays, pressure on public services grows. Public service workers deserve wages that keep up with the cost of living. The government must return to the table now with a serious offer-or job action will escalate further. We are not backing down."  

Today's escalation follows Wednesday's massive downtown Vancouver rally, where more than 2,000 union members and supporters filled the streets demanding a fair contract and real investment in the public services British Columbians rely on. The rally sent a clear message: workers are united, the labour movement is mobilized, and the urgency for a fair settlement is greater than ever.  

Talks between the government and BCGEU broke down again on Monday, September 29^th, after the government returned with no meaningful improvement to their previous offer. BCGEU is seeking 4 per cent per year general wage increase for all public service workers under the contract, while the government's offer was only 2 per cent per year over two years as the general wage increase. The government is publicly stating they offered a 5 per cent increase over two years, but this is not an increase to general wages. That 5 per cent figure bundles in market adjustments and other unrelated items, which not all members would receive.  

The BCGEU remains committed to achieving an agreement that addresses wage erosion, ensures cost-of-living protection, and delivers long-overdue respect and fairness for public service workers. Until government takes bargaining seriously, strike action will continue to grow. 
 

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:

Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289
Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

The employer has left us no choice but to escalate job action today, with 24 new worksites and 1,200 workers across government and the LDB now on picket lines across the province. Our message is clear: we will keep fighting for the deal that addresses the affordability crisis that members face, and we won't back down. Job action will continue to escalate until government returns to the table with a fair deal. 

The following worksites are now struck. Members at struck sites without a picket line are asked to join their closest picket line which can be found here, or a picket as indicated below.  

NEW Struck Public Service Worksites: 

NEW Struck LDB Worksites: 

With over 2,000 people taking to the streets to push for a fair deal that addresses long-standing issues of wage erosion, cost-of-living increases, and basic respect for public sector workers, yesterday's rally in Vancouver was a beautiful demonstration of worker power and solidarity. If you missed it, you can watch the livestream on our YouTube Channel, Facebook and Instagram (don't forget to check out the stories and posts too!). 

We'll be in touch again with another update if and when there is another escalation.

In solidarity,
Your Public Service Bargaining Committee: 
 
Paul Finch, President and Committee Chair
Maria Middlemiss, Treasurer
Dean Purdy, Component 1 Vice-President
Kusam Doal, Component 5 Vice-President
Judy Fox-McGuire, Component 6 Vice-President
Mona Dykes, Component 6 Second Representative
DJ Pohl, Component 12 Vice-President
Faith Johnston, Component 12 Second Representative 
Sebastian Kallos, Component 20 Vice-President
Linsay Buss, Lead Negotiator 
Larisa Mills, Staff Representative
Sumiko Marshall, Support Staff

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY:1,200 more workers added to escalation of BCGEU public service strike  

BURNABY, B.C. – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) has escalated strike action again with 24 more worksites representing over 1,200 members now on picket lines. 

This escalation includes five additional BC Liquor Stores (for a total of 82 now on strike) and affects multiple ministries. See a list of all striking worksites here: https://www.bcgeu.ca/picket_lines_and_job_action_listings 

More than 16,000 members of the public service are now engaged in job action across the province; over 14,000 members are on strike at 166 fully or partially struck worksites and there are 79 picket lines. 

Spokesperson available for comment:
Paul Finch, BCGEU president and chair of the Public Service Bargaining Committee 

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:
Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289

Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service

UWU/MoveUP

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1, 2025

Thousands Join BCGEU in Major Union March and Rally in Downtown Vancouver Amid Escalating Public Service Strike

Vancouver, B.C. – In a powerful show of unity and resolve, thousands of union members marched through downtown Vancouver today in support of the more than 16,000 striking public service workers represented by the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU). The mass demonstration marked one month since job action began across B.C. and underscored growing frustration with the provincial government's refusal to reach a fair settlement.

Representatives from major unions – including the Professional Employees Association (PEA), BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF), BC Nurses' Union (BCNU), United Steelworkers (USW), MoveUP, and others – joined BCGEU President Paul Finch at a public rally to denounce the government's lack of meaningful progress at the bargaining table.

The show of solidarity comes just days after renewed negotiations between BCGEU and the provincial government collapsed on their first day, deepening tensions in what is now one of the largest public sector job actions in recent B.C. history.

Today, BCGEU continued to escalate its strike action, with members walking off the job at 25 additional worksites. This brings the total to 167 impacted sites in the province.

"Today's rally is a powerful reminder that when working people stand together, we are a force to be reckoned with," said BCGEU President Paul Finch. "Our members are the backbone of public services in this province- and now they're rising to demand the respect and fairness they've earned. We will not back down. We will not be divided. And we will not stop until we win a deal that reflects the true value of public service."

Despite mounting pressure and widespread disruption, the union remains committed to negotiating a fair deal that addresses long-standing issues of wage erosion, cost-of-living increases, and basic respect for public sector workers.

The provincial government returned to the bargaining table this week with an offer of just 2% per year over two years-totaling only 4%. The government's offer remains below inflation, and it does nothing to close the wage gap faced by public service workers. The average wage in B.C. has increased by 40% since 2016, while public service wages have risen by just 27% during the same period. The BCGEU is on strike to close that 13.4-point gap and keep up with the cost of living. Nearly 30% of public service workers now rely on a second job to make ends meet.

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications:

Nadja Komnenic: [email protected] | 604.442.2289

Backgrounder: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/public_service 

UWU/MoveUP